Seating device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Seat device (1) for a motor vehicle (15), comprising a seat surface (2) and a backrest (3), as well as one or more holding elements (4) designed for fastening a child seat (18), which allow the fastening of a child seat (18) in one or more defined fastening positions on the seat surface (2), characterized in that a backrest section (11) is provided on the backrest (3) in the region of at least one fastening position, which backrest section can be pivoted about a pivot axis (12) from a closed position, in which it is integrated into the backrest (3), away from the seat surface (2) into an open position, in which it is pivoted rearwardly out of the rear side of the backrest (3), for the reversible opening and closing of a backrest opening (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seat device for a motor vehicle, comprising a seat surface and a backrest as well as one or more holding elements designed for fastening a child seat, which enable the fastening of a child seat in one or more defined fastening positions on the seat surface.

[0002] Seating systems for motor vehicles, usually in the form of rear bench seats extending from one side of the vehicle to the opposite side or in the form of individual seats, have long featured special retaining elements, usually ISOFIX mounts, which serve to securely and standardize the attachment of child seats to the seating system. These retaining elements enable such a child seat to be fixed in excellent seating positions. A seating system in the form of a rear bench seat often has a shaped right and left seating area on the seat surface, frequently also on the backrest, with a storage area, for example, located in the middle between. The retaining elements are arranged such that a child seat can be placed precisely on such a seating area as a defined attachment position. Such a rear seating system or rear bench seat is known, for example, from WO 2019 / 080770 A1.

[0003] While child seats for older or larger children can be installed forward-facing, i.e., facing the front of the vehicle, child seats for toddlers are legally required to be installed rearward-facing, i.e., toward the rear of the vehicle, so that the toddler also faces backward. Depending on the regulations, for example, babies and toddlers weighing up to 9 kg may not be placed forward-facing in the vehicle, or until they are 15 months old.

[0004] If a baby or toddler is positioned rear-facing, the baby or toddler may sometimes hit the backrest with their feet, as the child seat is usually directly attached to the backrest.

[0005] DE 199 16 442 C1 describes a device for releasably fastening a vehicle seat to the vehicle floor by means of a fastening hook arranged on the seat side, into which a fastening element arranged on the vehicle floor can engage. The device comprises a pivotably mounted locking element that can be brought into a locking position in which it locks the fastening element in the fastening hook, which is subjected to a force by a spring element that counteracts the assumption of the locking position, and which can be locked in its locking position by a blocking element. For this purpose, a support element is provided that can be connected to an assembly arranged on the seat side and on which the locking element and the spring element are fastened as a preassembled unit. A possibility for attaching a child seat to the vehicle seat is not provided.

[0006] DE 196 37 029 C1 describes an armrest arrangement for vehicles, which is provided with an armrest body pivotably attached to the vehicle side. The armrest body can be pivoted into a recess extending transversely through a seat back. The recess forms a passage for an accessory, such as a ski bag or the like. The recess can be releasably closed by means of a cover hinged to the back of the seat back. A container is provided for receiving the accessory. A space-saving, structurally simplified, and easy-to-assemble arrangement is achieved by inserting and securing a mounting element that at least partially lines the recess. The cover on the back of the seat back is hinged to the mounting element. The armrest body is also hinged to the mounting element. The armrest body has an interior space that forms the container for receiving the accessory.

[0007] DE 196 01 969 A1 describes an electrically contactable functional mat, in particular a sensor mat or heating mat, for installation in the seat cushion of a vehicle seat. The functional mat is an integral component of a seat cushion assembly, whereby the functional mat was integrated during the manufacture of the seat cushion assembly. A film pressure sensor for seat occupancy detection can be foamed into a seat cushion foam part. The functional mat can be precisely installed in the vehicle seat with the seat cushion assembly or seat cushion foam part in a single operation and can thus be positioned and secured very precisely, which is particularly important for sensor mats for seat occupancy detection with child seat detection.

[0008] DE 196 14 314 A1 discloses a vehicle seat in or on which an airbag device is mounted. The airbag device serves to support the head and / or shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant, particularly in the event of a side impact. This vehicle seat also offers the possibility of effectively protecting the thorax area of ​​a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact. For this purpose, the backrest of the vehicle seat is divided into a backrest base module and a backrest end module. The latter forms the support element for the airbag device.

[0009] US 3,736,022 A describes a seat cushion element in which the seating area of ​​its cushion is provided with large recesses suitable for receiving inserts. The inserts, which may be made of porous materials, are attached to the seat parts in such a way that they appear to be firmly connected to the seat parts, but can be easily replaced if necessary.

[0010] The invention is based on the problem of providing a seating device which is improved compared to the above.

[0011] To solve this problem, in a seating device of the type mentioned at the outset, the invention provides that a backrest section is provided on the backrest in the region of at least one fastening position, which backrest section can be pivoted about a pivot axis from a closed position, in which it is integrated into the backrest, away from the seat surface into an open position, in which it is pivoted backwards out of the rear side of the backrest, for the reversible opening and closing of a backrest opening.

[0012] The seating device according to the invention, which can be a rear seat device in the form of a rear bench seat or a single seat, but also, for example, a front passenger seat, has at least one flap-like backrest section which is assigned to a defined fastening position in which a child seat can be mounted facing backwards. The backrest section is therefore ultimately located in extension of the fastening position. This flap-like backrest section can be pivoted backwards, i.e. away from the seat surface, between a closed position and an open position, so that when pivoted into the open position, a backrest opening in the backrest can be opened, which allows the baby or toddler to push its legs into the backrest opening and therefore no longer hit the backrest as before, which is disadvantageous for seating comfort.In the closed position, the backrest section is integrated into the backrest, providing a suitable support surface when an elderly person is sitting in the rear seat or when a forward-facing child seat for older children is installed. However, if a rear-facing seat is installed to accommodate a baby or toddler, the backrest opening can be easily opened by pivoting the flap-like backrest section, thus significantly improving seating comfort.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, the backrest section can be conveniently pivoted with its upper end about a horizontal axis. The upper end of the flap-like backrest section, which is positioned adjacent to or closer to the upper edge of the backrest, is thus pivotally mounted. The lower end of the flap-like backrest section pivots rearward toward the trunk of the vehicle in the case of a rear seat arrangement, so that the backrest opening is opened accordingly large in the lower backrest area, precisely where the legs of the baby or toddler are.

[0014] The backrest section is advantageously secured in the closed and / or open positions by a locking device that can be released for pivoting. Preferably, both positions are locked and secured accordingly so that the backrest section cannot pivot accidentally. While the locking of the backrest section in the closed position ensures that the backrest section integrated into the backrest can also be subjected to appropriate load, for example by a person leaning against it, the locking in the pivoted-open position ensures that the backrest section cannot pivot back uncontrollably.On the other hand, this ensures that the upturned backrest section does not swing back even if there is any load from the trunk side, for example from a piece of luggage or something similar sliding against it, and the weight of the luggage cannot press against the outstretched legs of the baby or toddler.

[0015] The locking device can be released manually in the closed and / or open positions, for example by providing a corresponding release button or lever that can be operated by a person to release the lock. This locking button or lever then also indicates, if applicable, that the lock is engaged again in the closed or open position, meaning that the backrest section is locked. According to the invention, as an alternative to manual release, the locking device can also be released automatically in the closed and / or open positions. In this case, the lock is released via a control device that controls a corresponding actuator that releases the lock and, if applicable, locks it again in the respective end position if this does not happen automatically by latching.For example, the driver can initiate automatic release via a menu item on a display, or by pressing a push button which, for example, is located on the rear seat unit, similar to a manual release, or similar.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, a sensor device can be provided for detecting the presence of a child seat in the fastening position. This sensor device therefore detects whether a fastening position is occupied by a child seat. If occupancy of a child seat is detected, this information can be displayed, for example, immediately before the start of the journey so that the driver can once again check that it has been correctly installed and various functions can be controlled depending on the detection result. It is even conceivable that the journey is only authorized when the driver confirms, for example on a display, that the child seat is properly attached. The sensor device is connected to or expediently communicates via a vehicle bus so that the detection information can be accessed from any location as needed.

[0017] The sensor device is preferably designed to detect the occupancy status of the holding element(s). This means that the sensor device is capable or configured to detect whether a corresponding fastening element of the child seat is attached to one or more holding elements, i.e. whether or not a child seat is attached to the ISOFIX holding elements or ISOFIX interfaces. This sensor device therefore directly detects the child seat installation after the holding elements or ISOFIX elements are immediately monitored for their occupancy status. This allows not only occupancy but also correct attachment to such a holding element to be determined and, if necessary, an information signal can be issued to the driver if problems are detected. This is because the child seat must usually be attached to two holding elements.If fixation is detected on only one holding element, a response can be made via an information signal or through further interventions.

[0018] As described, automatic release of the locking device can be provided at least in the closed position, but also in the open position. If a sensor device is used to detect the presence of a child seat or, in particular, the occupancy status of the retaining elements, an expedient development of the invention provides that the locking device can be automatically released, at least in the closed position, depending on the detection result of the sensor device. This means that the automatic release of the locking device in the closed position only occurs when the sensor device actually detects the presence of a seat, especially a correctly installed seat. The control device then controls a corresponding actuator, which unlocks the locking device so that the flap-like backrest section can be pivoted backward.For this final pivoting, it may then only be necessary for the operator to push the backrest section a little more forcefully towards the trunk in order to release it from a locking mechanism and pivot it out.

[0019] Furthermore, at least one airbag device can be provided on the backrest, which is assigned to a fastening position. This airbag device can serve to protect a baby or toddler positioned rearward and can be deployed with its airbag if a collision occurs. This airbag device is expediently located above the pivoting backrest section, in particular the one that can pivot about the horizontal axis, and is thus permanently installed and does not move when the backrest section is pivoted.

[0020] It is useful here if the function of the airbag system can be controlled depending on the detection result of the sensor device. Since this airbag system ultimately only serves to protect a baby or toddler sitting rearward-facing, its function is only required if it is certain that such a baby or toddler is in the appropriate position. If the sensor device detects that a child seat and a baby or toddler are positioned in the designated fastening position, the airbag system can be switched on or activated based on this detection result, so that it is triggered and the airbag unfolds in the event of a collision.If no installed child seat or an unoccupied child seat is detected, the airbag system remains switched off, as it is not needed if an older child is seated on the rear seat or if a forward-facing child seat is installed to accommodate larger or older children.

[0021] The sensor device can, on the one hand, detect the occupancy or installation status of the retaining elements or ISOFIX element. However, it can also include a camera that detects whether a child seat is installed rearward-facing and / or whether a baby or toddler in the child seat is sitting rearward-facing. This is because forward-facing child seats are sometimes also secured using the retaining elements, so additional verification of a rearward-facing arrangement of the child seat or baby or toddler via the interior camera is useful.

[0022] Finally, it can be provided that the backrest section has a cushioned section facing the seat surface, which is detachably arranged on a support of the backrest section. The backrest section is therefore at least two-part. On the one hand, it has the pivotally mounted support, which forms the backrest section towards the trunk. On the other hand, a detachable cushioned section is arranged on the support, which faces the interior and forms or defines the backrest surface. This can then be removed from the support if necessary, so that the cushioned section does not become soiled by the baby's or toddler's shoes. In addition, this naturally also further enlarges the opening in the backrest, since the cushioned section is naturally correspondingly thick. If this thicker cushioned section is removed, the opening size is consequently increased.

[0023] In addition to the seating device, the invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one seating device of the type described above. This seating device is preferably a rear seat device and is designed in particular as a continuous rear seat bench extending from one side of the vehicle to the other.

[0024] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of a seating device according to the invention in the form of a rear seat device, Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a rear seat device from Fig. 1 with the backrest section in the closed position, and Fig. 3 a schematic diagram of the motor vehicle from Fig. 2 with child seat and passenger on the rear seat and backrest section swung out into the open position.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a seating device according to the invention in the form of a rear seat device 1 for a motor vehicle. The rear seat device comprises a seat surface 2, which is formed by corresponding seat cushion elements, and a backrest 3, which is also formed from a corresponding backrest frame or backrest support with corresponding cushion elements. The cushion elements are covered, for example, with fabric or leather. Furthermore, several holding elements 4 are provided, for example in the form of ISOFIX elements, which enable the attachment of a child seat in a total of three defined attachment positions. In the example shown, the seat surface 2 is formed by three seat surface components 5, which are arranged next to one another, just as the backrest is formed by three backrest components 6, which are also arranged next to one another, resulting in an overall rear bench-like configuration.Each of the three seat components 5 has, or are assigned to each, two such retaining elements 4, so that each seat component 5 represents a defined, distinguished fastening position for a child seat, which is secured to the two assigned retaining elements 4. As part of a sensor device 7, each retaining element 4 is assigned a sensor 8, which can detect whether a fastening element of a child seat is attached to the respective retaining element 4 and, if applicable, whether the fastening has been carried out correctly. The sensor elements 8 communicate with a control device 9, via which the actions described below can be controlled.

[0026] In the example shown, the sensor device 7 further optionally includes a camera 10, which is arranged in the interior of the vehicle and enables the rear seat system 1 to be monitored. This can be used to detect whether a child seat is located in one of the fastening positions and whether a person is sitting in it facing backwards, i.e., facing the rear of the vehicle. This can be used, if necessary, additionally to verify whether the seat is occupied and whether a rearward-facing baby or toddler is sitting in the child seat.

[0027] Furthermore, each backrest component 6 of the backrest 3 has a flap-like backrest section 11, which is arranged in the region of its upper end on the backrest 3 or a corresponding backrest frame or backrest support, pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 12. This means that the respective backrest section 11 can be individually pivoted from a closed position, in which it is integrated into the backrest 3 or the backrest component 6, rearward toward the trunk of the vehicle, i.e., away from the seat surface 2, with its lower end into an open position in order to reversibly open a backrest opening, i.e., a type of leg tunnel.

[0028] In the closed position, as well as in the open position, each flap-like backrest section 11 is releasably locked by a locking device 13, so that it is securely fixed and, in the closed position, can easily bear the weight of a person sitting in the seat. Even in the open position, the backrest section 11 is secured against uncontrolled pivoting back, which also prevents luggage in the trunk from sliding against the pivoted-out backrest section 11 and pressing it shut. The locking devices 13 also communicate with the control device 9 and can therefore be automatically controlled via the control device to release the locking mechanism.This control can be dependent on the detection result of the sensor device 7, i.e., automatic release and unlocking can occur if it is detected that, on the one hand, a child seat is in one of the designated fastening positions and, on the other hand, the baby or toddler sitting on it is looking backwards towards the backrest 3. This unlocking can, for example, also be initiated by the driver, who selects a field in an operating menu or presses a corresponding actuation button or the like. In the event of unlocking, a corresponding actuator (not shown in detail) is controlled via the control device 9, which then unlocks the respective locking device 13. This automatic release of the locking is optional, however; alternatively, a purely manual release can also be provided by pressing a release button or pulling a release lever or the like.

[0029] Furthermore, an airbag device 14 is installed on the backrest 3 in each backrest component 6 (shown here in dashed lines). This airbag device serves to protect a rearward-facing baby or toddler who is seated in one attachment position above their child seat. The airbag unfolds towards the seat surface 2, so that the baby or toddler, who is secured in the direction of travel with the backrest of the child seat, is protected in the opposite direction by the airbag. The function of the airbag devices 14 can in turn be controlled or switched via the control device 9. They are expediently only activated when it is ensured that a rearward-facing child seat is installed in one or the other attachment position and that a baby or toddler is sitting in the child seat. Only if such occupancy is verified can the assigned airbag device 14 deploy in the event of a collision.This can in turn be precisely detected and controlled via the sensor device 7 and the control device 9.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a motor vehicle 15 according to the invention, in which a rear seat device 1 according to the invention is installed as described above. Fig. 1, the rear seat assembly 1 is shown in the basic position; the backrest section 11 shown here as an example is in the closed position, in which it is integrated into the backrest 3. Also shown is a cushion element 16, which is detachably arranged on a support 17, the support 17 and the cushion element 16 forming the backrest section 11.

[0031] Now, as in Fig. 3, a child seat 18 is attached to the seat surface 2 in the designated fastening position, on which a child 19 sits, the backrest section 11, here after removing the upholstery element 16 and releasing the locking device 13, is pivoted rearward, i.e., in the direction of the trunk 21. The lower end of the backrest section 11 moves away from the seat surface 2, so that a backrest opening 20, a type of leg tunnel, opens, through which the toddler 19 can push his legs, which significantly increases seating comfort. In the Fig. 3 shown open position, as well as in the Fig. 2, the backrest section 11 is, as described, locked accordingly via the locking device 13. Any luggage located in the trunk 21 that would slide against the open backrest section 11 cannot push it closed due to the locking mechanism, so that the backrest section 11 cannot inadvertently swing back against the legs of the small child 19. The locking mechanism is only released again when this is either manually initiated by an operator or automatically when it is detected again that the small child 19 has either left the child seat 18 or that the child seat 18 has also been removed.

[0032] In Fig.3 also shows a deployed airbag 22, which has been unfolded over the airbag device 14 and visibly fills the space in front of the infant 19, thus protecting the infant in the event of a collision. This unfolding is not possible if no infant 19 is sitting in a rearward-facing position on the rear seat device 1.

Claims

[1] Seat device (1) for a motor vehicle (15), comprising a seat surface (2) and a backrest (3), and one or more holding elements (4) designed to fasten a child seat (18), which allow the fastening of a child seat (18) in one or more defined fastening positions on the seat surface (2), characterized by that a backrest section (11) is provided on the backrest (3) in the region of at least one fastening position, which backrest section can be pivoted about a pivot axis (12) from a closed position, in which it is integrated into the backrest (3), away from the seat surface (2) into an open position, in which it is pivoted backwards out of the rear side of the backrest (3), for the reversible opening and closing of a backrest opening (20). [2] Seat device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the backrest section (11) can be pivoted with its upper end about a horizontal pivot axis (12). [3] Seat device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the backrest section (11) is fixed in the closed position and / or in the open position by means of a locking device (13) which can be released for pivoting. [4] Seat device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the locking device (13) can be automatically released in the closed position and / or in the open position. [5] Seat device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one sensor device (7) is provided for detecting the presence of a child seat (18) in the fastening position. [6] Seat device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the sensor device (7) is designed to detect the occupancy state of the holding element(s) (4). [7] Seat device (1) according to claim 4 and claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the locking device (13) can be automatically released at least in the closed position depending on the detection result of the sensor device (7). [8] Seat device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one airbag device (14) is provided on the backrest (11). [9] Seat device (1) according to claim 8 and claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the function of the airbag device (14) can be controlled depending on the detection result of the sensor device (7). [10] Seat device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the backrest section (11) has a cushion section (16) directed towards the seat surface (2) and detachably arranged on a support (17) of the backrest section (11). [11] Motor vehicle (15) comprising at least one seat device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images